Obituary of Philip C. Brassel

The Rite of Committal for the late Philip C. Brassel Jr., was conducted by The Reverend John O’Kane on June 30th, at St. James Cemetery in North Creek. Mr Brassel, the oldest of five children of the late Philip C. and Elizabeth Cronin Brassel, was born in Albany on May 15, 1936. He died peacefully at his home in Jacksonville, Oregon on December 19th, 2019. Mr. Brassel is survived by his wife, Elizabeth VanBuskirk Brassel, daughters, Susan Brassel Birdsong (Charles) of Jacksonville, Michelle Brassel Spencer (Charles) of Sherwood, Stacia Erkelens (Erik) of Gig Harbor, Washington, and Lori Larson of Sandy, Idaho, granddaughters Aimee, Chalie Anna, Rose, and Ava, grandsons, AJ, Zack, Michael and Nicholas, sisters, Anne Brassel, Mary Brassel Zack (Richard) and brothers, Dr. Roger W. Brassel and Michael P. Brassel (Marjorie), ten nieces and one nephew. Mr. Brassel grew up in North Creek, was a communicant of St. James Church and a graduate of Johnsburg Central School. He loved skiing at the original Gore Mountain, playing basketball and baseball at JCS, and in summers, boating and waterskiing at the family camp on Balfour Lake. He enjoyed the friendship of many in the north country and beyond. Mr. Brassel served, with distinction, a career in the United States Navy for twenty one years and retired as a Senior Chief, GMG3, USN. After his retirement, Mr. Brassel was a civilian employee for the US Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, Rhode Island. They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. Psalms: Number 107, lines 23-24 Condolences and fond memories may be sent to www.alexanderfh.net